Graham Potter accepts new job ahead of possible return to Premier League football

Graham Potter has become co-course director at the PFA Business School.

The former Chelsea and Brighton manager is expected to become West Ham's next manager after the club. decided to fire Julen Lopetegui.

Potter, who is also believed to be attracting interest from Everton, has been out of management since he was fired by Chelsea in April 2023.

He 49 years He was announced for a new role on Tuesday, although not in the Premier League.

Potter will work with the PFA Business School on his certificate in Football Psychology, Emotional Intelligence and Leadership.

The Englishman took an unusual path into football management, working at several universities and completing a Master's Degree in Leadership: Personal and Professional Development, which focused on the use of emotional intelligence.

Before developing a reputation for engaging football at Brighton, Potter was known for his unconventional off-field methods at Ostersund, even encouraging players to take part in a theater production to take them out of their comfort zone.

Upon accepting his new role with the PFA Business SchoolPotter said: “In the end, education helped me become a better person and a better player.

“In football, sometimes you just lose a match and you prepare all week and you lose a match and you don't feel very good, whereas studying gave me the feeling that you can work and achieve something and no one can necessarily accept that “. away from you.

“You always have that rating, you always have it, so it was a good balance for the volatile world of football.

“I think it's very exciting that the PFA is doing this. It's very exciting that they are giving the opportunity to young and old players to improve, get qualifications and take on whatever comes their way in the next part of their career. positive way, so I'm happy to support this.

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“It gives you knowledge, it helps you have clarity of thought.

“It's an investment not just in the now, in terms of how you are, it's an investment in your future because my degree that I obtained, through the PFA or with the help of the PFA, was a foundation for me, my career in administration, because without that career I would not have gotten my first job as a graduate, as a postgraduate position.

“So I think education, education, education…someone has probably said that before, but that's something I would really recommend.”

Potter recently admitted he was ready to return to management after 20 months away from the game.

It is believed that the Englishman is interested in Hammers position, after weeks of waiting amid doubts about Lopetegui's future.

West Ham are yet to formally announce the sacking of their current boss, who was only appointed in May.

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Lopetegui He has lost nine of his first 20 league games as manager, conceding 39 goals in the process.

Club legend Tony Cottee he told talkSPORT he believes Potter is the right man for the job.

Cottee said: “I think they have to go with him. He did well at Brighton, he made the Chelsea work that as we know was a difficult job, and could have ended much better for him, we all know that.

“I think West Ham need someone to come in, I think they need a British manager from the fans' point of view and someone to give them a bit of hope.

“I'm glad they did it today because at least it gives the new manager, if he comes quickly to try for the FA Cup, because there's nothing left for West Ham.

“They are in the bottom half of the table, they are not going to make it to Europe. Try to win the FA Cup and play against your strongest team.”